Danish-Japanese quantum technology paves the way for future medicine

Experienced quantum software company to bring Danish quantum computers to the forefront of chemical calculations in new project supported by Innovation Fund Denmark with 19 million kroner.

Despite the enormous computational power that modern computers can offer, it is still virtually impossible to predict the effects of potential drugs on the human body using existing computer models. And even powerful conventional computers and AI quickly fall short when searching for new molecules in the almost infinite space of possibilities.

Fortunately, quantum computing can break through the fundamental barriers that will hold back future supercomputers. Now quantum physicists are teaming up with an experienced software company to make that promise a reality – in a project supported by Innovation Fund Denmark.

The project is a collaboration between Japanese QunaSys, which develops software for quantum computers, the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP), which provides the latest hardware and academic expertise in chemistry.

- The combination of highly developed commercial quantum software and the unique open hardware platform here at the Niels Bohr Institute creates an excellent framework for a major leap forward in chemical quantum calculations, says Gemma Solomon, professor of chemistry and Scientific Director of Algorithms and Applications at NQCP.

Although the quantum computer has the potential to overtake even the wildest supercomputers of the future, the calculations are not free, and the resources in the prototypical quantum computers are still scarce.

By combining hyper-contracted tensors and qubitization, two of the latest additions to the algorithm family, QunaSys is able to make the most of the available quantum resources. And with software tailored to the photonic pilot line at NQCP, the project will optimize the machine's capabilities to solve future chemistry problems.

- For several years, we have worked extensively on developing quantum-based solutions for simulating chemical reactions, and based on that expertise and our groundbreaking software models, we are looking forward to an exciting project, says Erik Stangerup, CEO of QunaSys in Denmark and the rest of Europe.

Facts

Innovation Fund Denmark's  investment: DKK 19 million.

Total budget: DKK 21 million.

Duration: 4 years

Official title: HyperTenQ

About the partners

QunaSys has been a pioneer in quantum computing for years, creating advanced algorithms that expand the possibilities of solving chemical problems with raw computing power. With its proprietary QURI SDK, QunaSys has streamlined quantum chemical simulations, maximized the efficiency of quantum resources, and delivered practical solutions to industry.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) is a multi-year project with the goal of developing fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware and algorithms that can use the computer to solve important problems in chemistry and biology. As part of the Niels Bohr Institute, the project has spent the last two years bringing together researchers and building world-class laboratories, and is now focusing on building the robust quantum computer of the future.